WATCH: An airline worker stole an empty plane from a Seattle airport on Friday and crashed it into a nearby sparsely populated island, authorities say, sparking a security scare prompting U.S. fighter jets to be scrambled.

It crashed into Ketron Island, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. Federal investigators said it smashed into many pieces during the crash. But, they said they still anticipate being able to retrieve data recorders from the aircraft.

Debra Eckrote, a regional chief with the National Transportation Safety Board, says the wings are off the plane and the fuselage is upside down.

She said it was very fortunate that the plane crashed in a relatively unpopulated island.

Preliminary info from the sheriff’s office said the crash happened after a mechanic stole it, and caused the incident either by doing stunts in the air or through a lack of flying skills.

Stolen horizon airplane crashed into Ketron island. Preliminary info is that a mechanic from unknown airlines stole plane. Was doing stunts in air or lack of flying skills caused crash into Island

The sheriff’s department went on to say that two F-15s chased the plane but that they weren’t involved in the crash.

The F-15s were on the scene “within a few minutes” of the plane’s theft, the department said. A press release from NORAD indicated that the fighters were directed to fly supersonic, but did not fire upon the aircraft.

Videos had earlier emerged on social media that showed a plane travelling through the sky over Chambers Bay, followed by what looked like a military jet.

Some dude stole a plane from #Seatac (Allegedly), did a loop-the-loop, ALMOST crashed into #ChambersBay, then crossed in front of our party, chased by fighter jets and subsequently crashed. Weird times. pic.twitter.com/Ra4LcIhwfU